Understanding Christianity

Christianity originated with the teachings of one man: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, also called Christ, was born to a poor Jewish family in Bethlehem around the year 4 AD at a time when the Roman Empire was occupying the land. Christianity is firmly rooted in, and developed from Jewish Theology. It is the largest inheritor of Abrahamic Theology. In fact Jesus is believed by Christians to be the Messiah of Jewish scripture, the Savior of humanity, and the Son of God; both Human and Divine.

The teachings and beliefs of Christianity spread through the Middle East, into Europe, Africa, and Asia as different communities of Christians developed. This led to different branches, or denominations, within Christianity. The three largest denominations are broadly grouped together under the titles of Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. Catholicism has historically been more closely tied to Southern Europe, and has thus been spread through the world alongside the missionaries of Spain and Portugal. The Protestant Churches are more closely tied with Northern Europe, and has been primarily spread through the missionaries of Britain and other countries. Orthodox Churches are tied to Eastern Europe; primarily Greece and Russia, but there are also sizable populations throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and India.

With the following pages we hope you will come to know and understand the basis for Christian beliefs, teachings, and practices, and also be able to reference relevant sources of wisdom and authority. Ultimately ending up with a good grasp of common and divergent views within Christianity in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed.